(19)

(11)

EP 0 848 876 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.06.1998 Bulletin 1998/26 (21) Application number: 96929885.0 (22) Date of filing: 03.09.1996

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  H04L 12/ 56( . ) H04J 3/ 24( . ) H04Q 3/ 00( . ) H04J 3/ 12( . ) H04L 12/ 66( . ) H04Q 11/ 04( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1996/014129 (87) International publication number: WO 1997/009809 (13.03.1997 Gazette 1997/12)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 08.09.1995 US 19950525897 22.11.1995 US 19950562206 (71) Applicant: SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, L.P. Kansas City, MO 64114-0417 (US)	(72) Inventor: CHRISTIE, Joseph, Michael San Bruno, CA 94066 (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG  Patentanwälte Beselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)